Fossil Fuels Damage the Environment Essay

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Fossil fuels comprise coal, natural gas, and oil, which are formed over time from the remains of living organisms. Most of the world’s energy needs are supplied from fossil fuels but fossil fuels come at a price. Fossil fuels are the main source of global warming emissions in the world. Shindell and Smith (2019) posits "The combustion of fossil fuels produces emissions of the long-lived greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and short-lived pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, that contribute to the formation of atmospheric aerosols." Not only do fossil fuels contribute towards global warming they also cause health problems, release toxins such as mercury, and destroy our wild places. The overall impact of fossil fuels is far greater when compared to any other source of energy. The world has relied solely on fossil fuels for a pretty long time and this has resulted in people believing there is no alternative. However, with global climates rising each year and climate changes taking place all over the world, people have begun noticing the impact fossil fuels have on our environment. This has resulted in a push for cleaner energy. Fossil fuel combustion is the major contributor to air pollution. Worldwide, fossil fuels account for 82% of primary energy supply and in the United States, fossil fuels account for 81% of all energy supply (Shindell & Smith, 2019). The amount of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide produced from the combustion of fossil fuels continues to increase as we rely heavily on fossil fuels. If we are to save the environment, we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make the switch towards safe and clean energy like solar and wind.

Health Impacts of Air Pollution

Air pollution is the number one damage caused by fossil fuels. This not only affects the environment but also affects the respiratory systems of all human beings. People living in low and middle-income countries have a huge risk factor associated with air pollution (Perera, 2018). The negative effect of this is the premature death of infants due to toxic air pollutants and climate change. The young are vulnerable to air pollution and climate change since their bodies are developing and they are biologically likely to be highly impacted.

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Children are more exposed to pollutants than adults as they breathe in more air and require more food than adults based on their weight (Perera, 2018). Children have to bear the brunt of the impacts of air pollution. Children from a low-income background in developing and developed countries suffer the most. These socioeconomic disparities are contributed by the fact that there is a pattern of disproportionate exposure of the poor. For example, in the US studies have indicated that low-income communities experience disproportionately high exposure to particulate air pollution from coal-fired power plants (Perera,…

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…successfully managed to have the lawsuits thrown out on the basis the corporations only produce the products. The fossil fuel industry can make the same investment in clean energy and the companies would still manage to make the huge profits they currently make. The reason they fail to do so is mainly based on the huge investments they have currently made in fossil fuel extraction and the knowledge that the world is still dependent on fossil fuels.

Conclusion

The world might be currently dependent on fossil fuels but there is a need for us to divest our energy sources if we are to save the environment. The counterarguments for other causes of environmental pollution do not hold water since in most cases the impact of fossil fuels has been far much greater and it is still the hugest contributor towards climate change, air pollution, and damaging of the environment. There being other clean sources of energy should be push enough to adopt these alternatives as a way for us to heal the environment. Fossil fuels cause air pollution that contributes to respiratory health problems and could result in the premature death of infants. People living in low-income areas and countries are the most vulnerable to air pollution caused by fossil fuels. This is because they cannot afford to live in better areas. Fossil fuel corporations should be pushed to adopt green technologies and….....

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